Mechanical pencil



- May 5, 193,1.

. H, DEUTSCH KECHANICAL PENCIL l Filed April 24, 1925 3 Shees-Sheet 1 I1, gg

Y b/ 2 S fu vr May 5 1931 H. DEUTSCH 1,803,794

xEcHANIcAL rENcIL Filed April 24, 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 y @pgn/ggf A mfofz' H'. DEUTSCH MECHANICAL PENCIL May 5, 1931.

3 Sheets-Sheet 3 l Il li C HVEJZ d 50 fed. AWhen the innertube is released Patented May A5, 1 931 UNITED STATES .PATENT OFFIC-i" H-EBIANN DEUTSCH, OF GROSS-LICHTERFELDE, 'NEAR BERLIN, GERMANY, ABSIGNOR,

BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO PENCIL MECEANISH N. Y., A conroaa'rroN or New Yom:

MECHANICAL PENCIL CORPORATION, l' NEW YORK,

l Application illed April. 24, 19,25, Serial No. 25,5116, and in Germany Hay 8, l

M invention relates to mechanical pencils, particularly of the istep-by-step type, and in certaingof its aspects to mechanical pencils ofthe magazine type. An object of the invention' is to provide an improved type of step-by-step pencil, wherein the lead is fed with ease and certainty. Another object is to provide a step-by-step pencil which is simple in construction, and

which can be easily and economically manuf lower end of an inner tube, a hollow cylinder` at the end of which lis formed a conical seat and this seat is adapted to receive the ends of a gripper which form a pair of resilient jaws adapted to engage the leads. When' the device 1s 1n operative position, the said jaws which are conical at the outside, lit in said seat and are tightly held against the lead. Preferably, the pressure with which the jaws engage the lead is increased by sobending the arms which support said jaws that their upper. ends are engaged by the bore of the hollow cylinder so that the cylinder assists vthe .said seat in closing the jaws.

Relative longitudinal movement of thehollow cylinder and the gripper is effected when the pencil is operated and the lead .is no longer fed after the gripperfhas performed its downward motion. The hollow cylinder 4o is positively connected with the inner tube l and carries along the grip er by friction for a distance limited by a c eck on the outer tube. The gripper is arrested by said check before the inner tube'and the hollow c linder' have completed their downward stro e, and y*its* jaws are released by .the concal'seat of the hollow cylinder. At thesame time, the arms of thev gripper are alsoreleasedlby the bore ofthe-cylinder and the lead is no lo iger returned to back spring and carries along with it the` as initial position by a push.

opened gripper until said grippe'rlenga es a checlr on the outer tube and is arrested.g On .continued upward motion of the hollow cylinder the latter compresses the arins on lwhich the jaws are formed, and the jaws themselves sothat the lead is firmly held advanced potion.

Inhe drawings, devices? embodying my invention are illustrated by way of example. F1g. 1 1s a longitudinal section of the pencil, ready for use,

Figs. 2 and Blare similar sections yofitS lower end, on a larger scale, showing the jaws closed and open,rr espectively,`

Fig. 4 is Fig@ and Fig. 4,

' 1 a longitudinal section of ther l g. 6 is gripper,

Fig. 7 1s a fied orm of Fig. 9 is modified form of pencil inverted charged with a fresh lead,

section of one of itsjaws",` i

Fi 8y is a longitudinal 'sectionof a modithe' penciLready for use', a simllar section, showin an elevatlon of the uppier end of the modified form o f pencil .after its cap has 'been unscrewed,

Fig. 11 is Fig.` 12 is Referring 'zeN . a longltudinal section ofthe u `v per end ofthe inner tube, ona larger sca. e,

a plan view of said'tubeend. first to Figs. 1 to 7, a is the outer and b the inner tube, and c is a knob -or the like secured to the upper 'end of the inner tube. The lower end of the outer tube is conical and abuts against a shoulderv on a point 6 of strong material which is screwed into a L conical body d. The body d supports la tube e in which the leads are guided. The tube is slotted at fA and to its upper end isfsecured a-Y` disc g-which is slightly dished towards it` centreand I forms the bottom of a :magazine h. for the supply leads z'. The leads are guided toward the centre tube e. v .A tubular of the discg. andinto the and a disc Z slotted atm is formed at one end of the check lc.

A gripper n is -free to slide on the tube e. The gripper comprises a tubular portion 0 f and two arms p of resilient material at the ends of which jaws q having conical outer faces are formed. The jaws g are considerably narrower than the .arms p and pass through the slots f in the tube e the width of whlch is just sufficient to allow the jaws to pass. The faces of the jaws are serrated on the insidey at g as shown in Figs. 4 and 5 so that they are capable of securely holding the leads#I (or the dummy 10 in the modified form) in the tube e. The arms p are wider than the jaws g as will be seen in Fig. 4 so as to impart to them a greater resistance to bending than if they were the same width as the jaws g.

A hollow cylinder s is secured to the lower end of the inner tube b by struck in portions u at the lower end of the inner tube b, so they j enter a groove o near the end of the cylinder .and the hollow cylinder s is carried down` s. The bore of the cylinder is formed with a conical seat lw at its lower end. v

The seat fw is extended into a tubular extension ofthe partof the cylinder s around which is placed the end of a spring a: the other end of which abuts against a shoulder y on the conical body d.

The arms p 'of the gripper n are bent outwardly at a, so that the bent portions of the arms are engagedby the inner wall of the hollow cylinder s when the parts are in the osition shown in Fig. 2. Thus the threaded aces g of the conical'portion g of the gripper n, are held more firmly against the lead.

The operation of my improved pencil is as follows:

When the end of the lead 7 has become worn olf the knob c is depressed so that the` inner tube b is displaced in the outer tube a,

wards with the tube b. The gripper n is also moved downwards by reason of friction between the cylinders and the arms and jaws at a and g and the lead r is fed forward until the tubular portion o of the gripper n abuts against the upper end of the tubular check lc on the tube e. .When the tube b is further depressed, it and the hollow cylinder s will move downwardly away from the jaws until the cylinder s abuts against the end 2 of the tube 3 which is formed about the base of the tube e. This downward movement of the cylinder 8 permits the jaws g, because of the resiliency of their arms, to open and 'release the lead. n

When the hollow cylinder s has attained its final or low position and the pressure on the knob c ceases, the spring w returns the parts to their initial position, the jaws of the gripper n remaining open until the end of the tubular portion ,q abuts against the disc a. The ends of the Jaws are then engaged by the shoulder 4 of the seat w and thefshoulder 5 at the end of the hollow cylinder s engages the kinks 2 of the arms p. When the u ward movement ofthe gripper is arrested y the dise g, the hollow cylinder s, being urged on by the spring moves past the jaws and the kinks z and holds the jaws tlghtly against the lead 1'. In this manner, the lead is fixed in its new position.

Thepencil illustrated in Figs. 8'to 12 is` of similar construction and like parts are indicated by the same reference letters or numerals. In this case,however, a push rod 10 of steel or other suitable metal is engaged by the jaws g, instead of a lead, and a lead 11 is inserted in front of the push rod. An extension e is formed at the end of the tube e which is somewhat shorter than the inner tube b. A store of leads may be kept in the annular space h between the tube b and the lwith guiding lugs 16 which will work in slots 17 of the top of the outer tube a. A cap a l is screwed on the inner tube b.

The operation of this pencil is the same as `that described with reference to Figs. 1 to 7, the steel push rod n being fed forward fora given distance on every operation of the tube b, and feeding forward the lead 11 for a like distance.

When the lead has become exhausted, it

is not automatically replaced as in the form' shown in Figs. 1 to 7, but the steel push rodl l0 'is removed from the tube e, e', a new lead is placed in the tube andthe push rod is reinserted. When a lead has beeohe exhausted the push rod will assume the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 9 in which its rear end is held by the jaws g of the gripper n. To release the push rod, the cap c is unscrewed, the end of the inner tube b is pressed on a fixed support,A a table or the like, and the outer tube a is depressed as shownby the arrow 17 in Fig. 9. This opens the jaws g, the push rod 10 is released and .drops into the position indicated in full lines in Fig. 9

2. In a propelling pencil, in combination,

vtelescoping inner and outer tubes, a slotted lead-guiding tube secured in said outer tube, a gripper longitudinally movable in said inner tube and comprising jaws carried on resilient arms and adapted to engage a lead in said guiding tube, and a hollow `cylinder operatively connected with said inner tube and provided with a seatadapted to engage and close said jaws.

3. In a propelling pencil, in combination, telescoping inner and outer tubes, a slotted lead guiding tube secured to said outer tube,

'25 a gripper longitudinally movable in said inner tube and comprising jaws carried on resilient arms. and adapted to engage the leads in said guiding tube, kinks formed on said resilient arms, and a hollow cylinder operatively connected with said inner tube,

adapted -to engage said kinks and provided vWithv a seat adapted to engage and close said -jaws on ,the lead. j

4. In a propelling pencil, in combination,

' 35 telescoping inner and outer tubes, a slotted lead guiding tube secured to said outer tube, a gripper adapted to bek moved longitudinally in said inner tube, and comprising jaws carried on resilient arms and adapted to engage a lead in said Aslotted guiding tube, means operatively connected'w'ith said inner tube for controlling said jaws. and adapted to move said gripper by friction, and a check for limiting the stroke of said. gripper.

5. In a-propelling pencil, in combination, telescoping inner and outer tubes, a slotted lead guiding tube secured to said outer tube, a gripper adapted to be moved longitudinal- 5 carried on the free ends of resilient arms and adapted to engage through the slots in said guiding tube, a lead therein,v means on said resilient arms adapted to assist in pressing the jawsgainst a lead, and means operatively connected with said inner tube for y controlling said jaws. l

6. In a propelling pencil, in combination, telescoping inner and outer tubes, a slotted a gripper adapted to be moved longitudinally in said inner tube, and comprising jaws carried on resilient arms and adapted to engage a lead in said guiding tube, the 05 gripping surfaces of said jaws being rough-y ly in said inner tube, and comprising jaws lead guiding tube secured to said o-uter tube,

cned, and means for controlling said jaws operatively connected with said inner tube. j

7. In a propelling pencil, in combination,

telescoping inner and outer tubes, a slotte-d lead guiding' tube secured to said outer tube,

jaws carried on resilient arms and'adapted to engage the leads in said guiding tube, means operatively connected with said inner tube for controlling said jaws, a perforated disc at the end of said inner tube, and having a tubular projection thereon adapted to slide over the end of saidguiding tube.

8. In a propelling pencil, in combination, telescoping inner and outer tubes, a slotted lead guiding tube secured to said outer tube, jaws carried on resilient'arms and adapted to enga-ge a lead in said guiding tube,means operatively connected with said inner tube for controlling said jaws, a disc perforated at two points at the end of said inner tube, and a tubular projection surrounding one of the perforations in said disc and adapted to slide on the end of said guiding tube.

9. In a pencil mechanism, the combination of a longitudinally-movable carrier member formed with an opening therethrough, a longitudinally-movable lead-gripping member formed at one of its ends intoa plurality of fingers supported within the opening in said carrier member, said fingers being resiliently held open and adapted to be closed'by pressure of said carrier member against the same, means to limit the downward movement of said carrier member and means to limit the downward movement of said gripping mem ber prior to the operation of said last-mentioned means on said carrier member.

l0. In a step-by-step pencil, the combina tion of a longitudinally movable member formed with an'openingtherethrough, a l0n gitudinally-movablel lead-gripping unit eX- tending into said opening and supported .upon said member, said unit comprising a tubular portion and a plurality of outwardlyresilient arms extending longitudinally therefrom. and formed with lead-gripping portions at their free ends, the periphery of said' opening and the cooperating surfaces of 'said arms being in ca m relationship, mea-ns providing upper and lower stops for said arms and means for reciprocating said longitudinally-movable member.

vl1. In a step-by-step pencil comprising a casing, thecombination of means providing amagazine, a carr1er member formed with a j central opening and positioned` beneath said magazine, means for reciprocating said carlOO' rier member, a longitudinallymovable lead- 'i gripping unit arranged to be supported by said carrier member, upper and lower stops for said gripping unit, said carrier member and said gripping unit being formed with cooperating surfacesA whereby said gripping unit will be caused to grip the lead when said unit is moved against said upper stop by v a lead 1n the pencll, said gripping-member I cause said gripping unit to release the lead erating member being adapted upon the withdrawal of said4 carrier member therefrom when the gripping unit reaches said lower stop.

12. In a magazine pencil,.comprising an` outer shell and a tubularmember reciprocable within said shell, means including the upper portionv of said tubular member toprovide a lead magazine to permit the passage of a plurality of leads successively downwardly therefrom, a carrier member `secured to said tubular member, a lead-gripping member, comprising a plurality of outwardly spring- -pressed fingers, said carrier member being formed with a central opening to receive said fingers, the inner surface o-said opening and` the outer surface of said fingersbeing in cam relationship and said carrier member being adapted to press the fingers inwardly against being longitudinally movable by said carrier' member, and upper and lower stops for said gripping member.

13. Ina step-by-step pencil, the combination with a casing, of a lead-gripping unit longitudinally movable within the casing and comprislng a plurality of outwardly spring-pressed jaws, means to limit the upward anddownward movement of said gripping unit, a longitudinally movable operating member including a portion adapted to encircle said jaws and to clamp .the same against a lead in the pencil, said encircling portion ,being disposed in supporting relation to said jaws, means normally to maintain said operating' member in an upward and j aw-clamping position, and an exteriorly accessible element whereby said operating member may be moved downwardl said opuring its downward movement to maintain. the jaws in clamped position until the gripping unit reaches its limit of downward movement and thereupon; to release the jaws as said encircling member is carried downwardly vand being adapted during its upward movement to-move the jaws ahead of said'encircling member until the gripping unit reaches' lits limit of upward movement and thereupon to clamp said jaws.

14. In a step-by-step pencil, the combination with a casing, of la lead-gripping unit longitudinally movable within the casing` and comprising a plurality of outwardly spring-pressed jaws, means to limit th'e upward and downward movement of said griping unit, a longitudinally movable operatmg member including a`portion adapted to encircle said jaws and to clamp the same against a lead in the pencil, said encircling portion being disposed in supporting relation to said jaws, means normally to maintain said operating member in an' upward and jaw-clamping position, and an exteriorly accessible element whereby said operating member ma A be moved downwardl ,said operating mem er being adapted during its downward movement to maintain the jaws being adapted during its upward movement to move the Vjaws ahead of'l said encircling 'member until the gripping unit reaches its limit of upward Vmovement and thereupon to clamp said aws, the exterior of said jaws and the interior of said jaw encircling portion being formed with cooperating upwardly and outwardly inclined surfaces.

15. 'In a'step-by-step pencil, the combination with a casing, of-a lead-gripping unit longitudinally movable within the casing and comprising a plurality of outwardly spring-pressed jaws, means to limit the up- .ward and downward movement of said gripping unit, a longitudinally movable operating member including a portion adapted to encircle said jaws and to clam the same against a lead in the pencil, sai encircling portion being disposed in supporting relation to said jaws, means normally to maintain said operating member in an upward and jaw-clamping position, an exteriorly accessible element whereby said operating member may be moved downwardly, said operating-member being adapted during its downward movement to maintain the jaws in clamped position until the gripping unit reaches its limit of downward-movement an thereupon to release theijaws as said encircling member is carried downwardly and being adapted during its upward movement to move the jaws ahead of said encircling member until the gripping unit reaches its lim it of upward movement and thereupon to clamp said jaws, said operating member bein formed with recesses adapted to receive sai jaws when said encircling portion moves below the same, and means to force said jaws out of said recesses to permit the clamping thereof by said encircling portion when the gripping unit. reaches its limit of upward movement.'

16. In astep-bystep pencil, the combination l with a casing, of a lead-gripping unit longitudinally movable within the casing and' comprising a plurality of outwardly springpressed jaws, means to limit the upward and downward movement of said gripping unit,

a longitudinally movable operating member Y including a portion adapted to encircle said.Y jaws and to clamp the same against a lead' in the pencil, said encircling portion being disposed in supporting relation to said jaws, means normally to maintain said operating member in an upward and jaw-clamping position, an exteriorly accessible element whereby said operating member may be moved lv incensi downwardly, said operating member being adapted during its downward movement to maintain the jaws in clamped position-until the gripping unit reaches its limit of downward movement and thereupon to release the vjaws as said encircling member is carried downwardly and being adapted during its upward movement to move the jaws ahead of said encircling member until the gripping unit reaches its limit of upward movement and thereupon to clamp said jaws, said operating member being formed with recesses adapte to receive said jaws when said encircling portion moves below the` same, and means to force said jaws out of said recesses to permit the clamping thereof by said encircling portion when the gripping unit reaches its limit of upward movement,the exteriorofsaid-jaws and the interior of said jaw encircling portion being formed with cooperating upwardly and outwardly inclined surfaces.

17. In a step-by-step pencil, the combinaltion with a casing, of a lead-gripping unit longitudinally movable within the casing and comprising a plurality of outwardly spring-pressed jaws, means to limit the` upward and downward movement of said gripping unit, a longitudinally movable operating member includingI a' portion adapted to 30 encircle said jaws,- said encircling portion being disposed in supporting relationship to said jaws and said jaws and said encirclin portion having cooperating surfaces forme to permit the jaws to be-clamped against a lead in the pencil by the continued upward movement of said operating member when the upward movement of the jaws is limited and when in clamped position to be drawn downwardly by the downward movement of 4.o the operating member until the downward exteriorly accessible element independent o f the gripping unit whereby said operating member may be moved downwardly.

19. In a step-by-step pencil, the combination of a casing, a slotted lead guide tube secured inv said casing, ,a lead-gripping unit slidable on said guide tube and comprising outwardly spring pressed jaws adapted to extend through the slots in said guide tube rto grip a lead therein, means to limit the upward and downward movement of said gripping unit,- a longitudinally movable operating member including a portion adapted to encircle said jaws and to clamp the same Y against a lead in the pencil, said encircling portion being disposed in` supporting. relation to said jaws,a spring encircling said guide tube and ltending to hold saidoperating member in an upward and j aw-clamping position, and an eXteriorly accessible elementwhereby said operating member maybe moved downwardly, said operating member being adapted during its downward move-v movement of the jaws is limited, and means independent of the gripping unit for reciprocating said operating member.

' 18. In a step-by-step pencil, the combination with a casing, of a lead-gripping unit longitudinally movable within the casing -and comprising a plurality, of outwardl spring-pressed jaws, means -to limit the up-l ward and downward movement of said grip- 450Y ping unit, a longitudinally movable operatmg member including a portion adapted to encircle said jaws, said encircling portion being disposed in vsupportin relationship to l said jaws and said jaws .an said encircling portion having cooperating surfaces formed to permit the jaws .to be clam ed against a lead in the pencil by the continued upward movement of said operating memberwhen the 'upward movement of the jaws is limited 60 and when in clamped position to be drawn downwardly by the downward movement of Y YYY the operatiner member until the downward Ymovement of the jaws lis limited, resilient means for normally maintaining tlie operating member in anl upward positionand1 

